VHS update as of June 7, 2007
Stocking update
About 350,000 chinook fingerlings from Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery, and 150,000 chinook fingerlings from a rearing pond near Sturgeon Bay, are being stocked into Lake Michigan this week after testing negative for VHS. The stocking, done after consultation with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, is the first since DNR halted transfers of its hatchery fish on May 16 until fisheries officials could assess the potential risks of inadvertently spreading the virus through its hatchery and field operations. Fisheries officials have concluded the risk of spreading VHS is extremely low, given their test results and their being stocked only into a water where VHS has already been confirmed. The stocking is important because Wisconsin’s waters of Lake Michigan depend on hatchery-raised fish to provide anglers with fishing opportunities for chinook and other Pacific-strain trout and salmon.
Test results for the virus
As of June 7, a whitefish from Lake Michigan has been the only fish to test positive for VHS since a brown trout from Lake Michigan and a smallmouth bass from Sturgeon Bay were diagnosed on May 23 and May 24, respectively, with the disease. For results to date, refer to the map on DNR’s Web site at
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/documents/vhs_widistribution.pdf.
Boater, angler compliance with VHS emergency rules
Anecdotal reports from DNR wardens indicate that compliance with VHS emergency rules has been excellent. Todd Schaller, Oshkosh supervising warden who made numerous contacts both on the water and at landings, said that compliance and knowledge seemed excellent among the general public. “One angler was in the process of spraying his boat down when I stopped and talked to him,” Schaller said. “I asked to look at his fish and he asked if he could finish spraying the boat first.”
In addition, DNR is sending all Winnebago water system fishing tournament directors a letter outlining what they need to tell their anglers about the new emergency rules in place. In some instances, DNR representatives may appear in person to speak at the tournament openings. “Anglers have been attentive, taken the handouts that I've provided and asked a number of questions,” said Kendall Kamke, senior fisheries biologist for the Upper Fox and Wolf Fisheries Unit, who has attended four tournaments so far this season.
Outreach and information
A Spanish language fact sheet, posters, brochures and public service announcements are among the array of materials now available to help people learn more about VHS and how they can help prevent its spread. All of the materials are available online on the VHS web pages under “Publications.” [link to
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs_publications.html]
Winnebago waters covered by administrative rules expanded
The Lake Winnebago System waters covered by emergency rules to prevent the spread of VHS has been refined and expanded. The rules the State Natural Resources Board passed on May 17 cover system lakes and tributaries up to the “first barrier impassable to fish.” The expanded list reflects fish managers’ evaluations, based on tag returns and fish migration studies, of where those impassible barriers truly are in times of flooding and high water to best help contain the disease. Find a list of all waters covered by the emergency rule [link to
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/documents/vhs_affectedwaters.pdf] and a map of the Winnebago System waters [link to
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/documents/vhs_winnsystem.pdf] covered by the rules on the web.
Bait harvest permits
Applications for free bait harvest permits are coming in by the dozens. As of June 6, more than 375 permits had been issued to bait harvesters to allow them to collect minnows from specific lakes or river stretches. The state Natural Resources Board established the permit system in May to help trace the source and use of bait minnows in order to monitor possible sources of VHS. The permits are good for 14 days and are required for all registered bait dealers in Wisconsin who harvest any wild bait from Wisconsin waters. See dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs_wildbait.html
Most frequently asked question of the week
Anglers and other water enthusiasts are responding to pleas to alert DNR to fish kills and large numbers of dead fish. Their calls are coming in to DNR offices at a steady clip and some anglers report they’ve got suspect fish bagged in their freezer. Here’s what people can do about fish with symptoms of VHS: bulging eyes, bloated abdomens, inactive or overactive behavior, bleeding in the eyes, skin, gills and at the base of the fins. [link to
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/whattodo.html]
Department of Tourism partners to help slow the spread
Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble recently sent a message to Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitor bureaus, travel organizations and individual businesses asking them to help spread the word on steps tourists, local anglers, boaters and businesses can help to prevent the spread of invasive species. “Fishing in Wisconsin is spectacular and with your help it will remain as such.” Read the full letter. [link to
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/documents/vhs_sectourism.pdf]
